Central Michigan waited until the final minute of the first half to move the chains for the first time at New Mexico. The Chippewas managed 33 first-half yards, and Angel Flores threw an interception late in the half. By the end of a 38-7 loss, New Mexico had held the ball for 37:29, run 21 more plays and outgained CMU 364-149.
That is the part of Week 1 that should shape Saturday against Colgate. The result itself damaged the early optimism around Year 2, but one nonconference loss cannot settle what this team will become. The more urgent problem was that CMU never gave its preferred style a chance to function.
In 2025, the Chippewas ran on 66.5 percent of their offensive plays, the fifth-highest rate in FBS, and averaged 32:03 of possession. The offseason plan was to make the offense faster, more diversified and more open through the air. Those ideas were supposed to complement each other by forcing defenses to respect the quarterbacks without giving up the rushing volume and possession control that made Matt Drinkall’s first offense work.
Instead, Flores and Jadyn Glasser combined for seven completions on 16 attempts, 30 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. CMU finished with 119 net rushing yards spread among 10 ball carriers, and its only touchdown came on Nasir Williams’ 23-yard end-around after New Mexico had begun using backups. CMU needs to stay in manageable third downs, sustain drives, establish its rushing rhythm and complete enough passes to keep Colgate from crowding the run.
Central Michigan vs. Colgate
Saturday, Sept. 12, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN+
The interactive Fan Watch forecast gives Central Michigan a 95 percent chance to win. That fits the history. This is the programs’ first meeting, and CMU has won 17 consecutive games against FCS opponents.
So this is not a week to demand spectacle or treat every imperfect series as a crisis. It is a week to watch whether the offense establishes command before the favorite’s depth and talent advantage are asked to rescue it. A comfortable final score accompanied by another empty first half would leave the central concern largely intact.
Colgate is capable of making a slow start uncomfortable. The Raiders have produced 876 yards through two victories, split almost evenly between 427 rushing and 449 passing yards. Danny Shaban carried 28 times for a career-high 214 yards and two touchdowns in the opener at Fordham. One week later, Jake Stearney threw for 278 yards and four touchdowns against Holy Cross, while Matt Fogler caught three scoring passes among his six receptions for 153 yards.
That balance gives CMU’s rebuilt defense a more revealing assignment than the FCS label suggests. The Chippewas allowed 205 net rushing yards and 159 passing yards at New Mexico without forcing a turnover. Root for early run fits that keep Shaban from setting the terms, then for coverage that makes Stearney string together drives instead of finding Fogler for explosive scores.
Drinkall said CMU gave many newcomers game experience at New Mexico and did not use its normal adjustment procedures because so many players were playing their first game. He also accepted responsibility for how the Chippewas were prepared and positioned. That context buys the defense time to develop; it also makes Saturday’s sideline response worth watching closely. When Colgate changes its method, CMU needs to recognize it and answer more cleanly than it did in Albuquerque.
There is no outside game carrying enough value for Central Michigan fans to divide their attention this week. The methodology explains how the forecast is built. On Saturday, Flores and Glasser need to make the expanded passing game viable, the running game needs to reclaim the clock, and the defense needs to adjust before Colgate’s balance becomes a real problem.